Guide for severing sheet material

ABSTRACT

A guide for severing sheet material having an elongated sheet material receiving base; pegs mounted in upstanding spaced relation on the base; bolts affixed on the base in upstanding spaced relation to the pegs; templates, having material abutting edges and openings extending through the templates, said templates being rested on the base with the bolts individually extending through the openings of the templates; and a cross member secured on the bolts for adjustment to and from binding engagement with the templates.

United States Patent Crocket [451 Dec. 17, 1974 GUIDE FOR SEVERING SHEET MATERIAL James II. Crocket, 1442 N. First Ave., Fresno, Calif. 93728 Filed: Aug. 20, 1973 Appl. N0.: 389,699

Inventor:

US. Cl. 33/80, 33/32 B, 83/467 Int. Cl B431 13/00 Field of Search 33/75, 76 80, 81, 32,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1969 Bowly 33/80 3/1922 Barbeau... 33/80 11/1950 Melchor... 83/467 12/1956 Gelb 33/1845 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS l/l887 Germany 83/467 Primary Examiner -Harry N. l-Iaroian Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Huebner & Worrel [57] ABSTRACT A guide for severing sheet material having an elongated sheet material receiving base; pegs mounted in upstanding spaced relation on the base; bolts affixed on the base in upstanding spaced relation to the pegs; templates, having material abutting edges and openings extending through the templates, said templates being rested on the base with the bolts individually extending through the openings of the templates; and a cross member secured on the bolts for adjustment to and from binding engagement with the templates.

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 GUIDE FOR SEVERING SHEET MATERIAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a guide for severing sheet material and more particularly to such a guide which is specifically adapted for use in the successive severing of sheet material into segments of identical configuration with an ease of handling and simplicity of structure not heretofore available in prior art devices.

The prior art patents such as the Pavyer et al. Pat. No. 413,086; Campton et al. Pat. No. 787,724; Simonton Pat. No. 1,761,315; Schafer Pat. No. 2,006,183; Koch Pat. No. 2,1 10,129; Spinney Pat. No. 2,651,333; Sasse Pat. No. 2,783,586; and Hesse Pat. No. 3,239,936 relate primarily to devices adapted to be employed as guides in cutting sheet and a variety of other materials. These devices typify prior art practices subject to deficiencies which the present invention has overcome.

There has long been a need for an inexpensive and yet accurate guide which affords simplicity of operation in the severing of sheet material into segments 'of preselected, uniform configuration. Particularly in the rapidly expanding area of hobby craft, there is a frequent need to sever such sheet materials as art board,

construction paper, leather, plastic, balsa wood, and the like into uniform segments. Due to the prohibitive expense and relatively complex structure of prior art devices, the practice in the past has been simply individually to measure and mark each segment prior to cutting. This practice has presented considerable problems in that it has not only been a tedious and time consuming task where a large number of such identical segments must be cut, but also has facilitated the introduction of error into the work due to inadvertent variation in measurement and loss of attention by the operator.

These problems become particularly acute where balsa wood models such as model airplanes, houses, and the like are constructed. Such models are constructed not only simply as a hobby, but also in the professions of architecture, nautical and aeronautical design. These models are commonly constructed of a plurality of identical strips of balsa wood which are used as structural members for the particular model being constructed. While such strip material can often be purchased at a supply store, it is significantly less expensive to purchase the sheet material and thereafter cut the segments desired from such material. Furthermore, frequently odd sizes and shapes are required which are not carried by stores.

Therefore, it has long been recognized that it would be desirable to have a guide of minimum expense and simplicity of structure for use in the severing of sheet material into a virtually unlimited number of segments of uniform configuration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved guide for severing sheet material.

Another object is to provide such a guide which facilitates the severing of sheet material into uniform segments of preselected configuration.

Another object is to provide such a guide which is particularly well suited for use in hobby craft for severprofessions as architecture, nautical and aeronautical design.

Another object is to provide such a guide which possesses a simplicity of structure not heretofore available in prior art devices.

Another object is to provide such a guide which can be operated to sever sheet material into both strip and angled segments.

Another object is to provide such a guide which is adapted to permit the use of conventionally available cutting knives.

Another object is to provide such a guide which is fully compatible with recognized modeling practices.

A further object is to provide such a guide which possesses a versatility of operation permitting a wide variety of areas of application.

Further objects and advantages are to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in a guide for the purposes described which is dependable, economical, durable, and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the guide of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the guide.

FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical section taken on line 33 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the guide.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the guide.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more particularly to the drawing, the guide for severing sheet material of the present invention is generally indicated by the numeral 10 in FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 2 through 5, the guide is adapted to be employed in severing a workpiece such as sheet material 11 having opposite ends 12 and opposite sides 13. Such sheet material could, of course, be of virtually any configuration. However, rectangular sheets of such material are commonly employed for the purposes to be described and are thus shown and described herein for illustrative convenience. The guide is designed to be employed using any conventionally available knife 14 having a knife blade 15. For illustrative convenience, the hands of an operator generally indicated by the numeral 16 are shown in FIG. 5.

The guide 10 has an elongated, substantially rectangular work platform or base 25. The base has opposite ends 26 and opposite sides 27. The base also has a substantially flat work surface 28. A pair of reference members or pegs 29 are affixed on the work surface of the base in upstanding relation individually adjacent to the opposite ends of the base. The pegs define a line of reference 30 tangentially interconnecting corresponding sides of the pegs.

Three bolts 35 are mounted on the base 25 in upstanding relation from the work surface 28 on a common side of the pegs 29. The bolts are preferably in substantial alignment so as to define a line substantially parallel to the line of reference 30. The pegs are preferably spaced on the work surface with respect to each other substantially as shown in FIG. 1. Each of the bolts has a screw-threaded distal end 36. A guide plate or template 37, having a straight edge 38 and an oversize opening 39 extending therethrough, is individually received about each of the bolts with the bolt extending through the opening. The template is rested on the work surface.

A binding member or cross bar 45, having three bores extending therethrough in spaced relation corresponding to that of the bolts 35, is positioned in rested engagement on the templates 37 with the bolts individually extending through the bores. Wing nuts 47 are individually screw-threadably secured on the ends 36 of the bolts to retain the cross bar in position. An elongated cutting plate 48, having a cutting edge 49, is adapted to be positioned on the work surface 28 for purposes subsequently to be described. The cutting edge could, of course, have any desired configuration corresponding to the cut to be performed. However, the cutting edge is preferably straight, as shown and described herein, for purposes primarily of cutting strip material.

OPERATION The operation of the described embodiment of the subject invention is believed to be clearly apparent and is briefly summarized at this point. When it is desired to cut a plurality of identically dimensioned strips from the sheet material 11, a truing cut is first made by the operator using the knife 14. In order to perform this operation, the sheet material 11 is positioned between the pegs 29 in rested engagement on the work surface 28 of the base 25. The material should be positioned so an opposite side 13 is closely adjacent and substantially parallel to the line of reference 30 defined by the pegs. The cutting plate 48 is then positioned in rested engagement on the sheet material with the cutting edge 49 engaging the pegs, as shown in FIG. 5. The knife blade 15 is then drawn along the cutting edge of the cutting plate so as first to make a scoring line in the sheet material coinciding with the line of reference. Thereafter, the operator severs the sheet material with a second stroke of the blade so that the material is provided with as precisely straight a side as possible.

If the strips which are to be severed from the sheet material 11 are to be square in cross section, the sheet material is placed on its side or end between the pegs 29 in rested engagement with the worksurface 28 and in engagement with the cutting edge 49 which is in contact with the pegs. The templates 37 are then slidably positioned with their respective straight edges 38 in abutted engagement with the sheet material. The wing nuts 47 are then tightened on their respective bolts 35 to secure the cross bar 45 in binding engagement with the templates, thereby locking the templates into position. Thereafter, the sheet material is positioned in rested engagement on the work surface with the trued side in abutted engagement with the straight edges of the templates. Subsequently, the cutting plate 48 is rested on the material with the cutting edge 49 engaging the pegs, as shown in FIG. 5. Using first the scoring cut followed by the severing cut, with the knife 14, as described above, identical segments of strip material are then successively severed by repeatedly placing the opposite side 13 formed in severing the preceding segment in engagement with the templates after each individual severing operation is performed.

When it is desired to cut strip material of other than square cross section, a somewhat different procedure is followed. In this case, an opposite side 13 of the sheet material 11 is first trued, as discussed above. Subsequently, the operator measures from the trued-side of the material the precise distance desired for the width of the strips to be severed. Preferably a line is drawn along the sheet material interconnecting several such measurement points so as to insure the maximum degree of accuracy. Thereafter, the sheet material is positioned with this line in coincidence with the line of reference 30 of the pegs 29. The straight edges 38 of the templates 37 are then positioned in abutment with the trued side of the sheet material and locked into position with the wing nuts 47, as previously described. Thereafter, successive severing of strips of the sheet material can be performed with maximum accuracy and great rapidity. It will be noted that in both instances after one piece of sheet material has been consumed, successive additional pieces of sheet material can be employed to sever precisely the same segments. It is, however, preferable to first make a truing cut with the knife 14 before starting to sever segments from a new piece of sheet material.

Angled segments can be severed from sheet material as shown in FIG. 4. The precise angle desired is preferably first set up by placing a protractor or triangle in abutment against the cutting edge 49 of the cutting plate 48 which is in engagement with the pegs 29. The straight edge 38 of the template 37 to be employed is then positioned so as precisely to define the desired angle, as established by the protractor or triangle, with respect to the cutting edge of the cutting plate. As previously described, the template is then locked into position using the wing nut 47 thereof. Thereafter, the sheet material is positioned as shown in FIG. 4. Repeated severing of angled segments from the sheet material can then expeditiously be performed. It will be noted that a virtually unlimited variety of configurations for segments can be set up with the guide apparatus 10 using the three templates as required by the operator. It will also be seen that each of the three templates can be set up to define a different angle so as to permit several successive cuts to be expeditiously perfomied on a single segment without having to readjust the templates. Once the templates have been locked into position, such successive severing of segments from the sheet material can be performed in virtually unlimited quantity using successive pieces of sheet material. The only requirement to insure the accuracy of the cuts performed is that the cut always be made along the line of reference 30 preferably in engagement with the cutting edge 49 of the cutting plate 48.

Therefore, the guide apparatus of the present invention has a simplicity of structure which permits the expeditious severing of sheet material into segements of virtually unlimited quantity and variety of achievable configuration with an ease of operation and a precision of performance not heretofore available in prior art devices while being of minimum expense.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the illustrative details disclosed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A guide for severing sheet material comprising a sheet material receiving platform; pegs secured on the platform in spaced relation defining a line of reference on the platform; a guide plate, having a material abutting edge, positioned in rested engagement with the platform laterally disposed with respect to said line of 0 reference; a pair of second guide plates, having material abutting edges, positioned in rested engagement on the platform; means for securing the material abutting edges of the guide plates in selected positions with respect to said line of reference, said securing means including a cross bar mounted on the platform for adjustment to and from binding engagement with the guide plates; and an elongated sheet material engaging plate, having a knife guiding straight edge, positionable on the work surface with the straight edge thereof engaging the pegs. j

2. A guide for accurately positioning a workpiece for cutting, the guide comprising a pair of reference members; a template; a platform mounting said members in spaced relation delineating a line of reference; means for securing the template in a selected position on the platform for abutted engagement with the workpiece to position said workpiece for cutting along the line of reference; and a second template borne by the platform in spaced relation to the first template, said securing means being adjustable to secure the second template in a selected attitude on the platform with respect to the line of reference and the first template, said securing means including a cross member mounted on the platform for adjustment to and from binding engagement with the templates.

3. A guide for successively severing sheet material into segments of a preselected uniform configuration, the guide comprising an elongated work platform having a substantially flat work surface; a pair of reference pegs affixed on the platform in spaced relation extending at substantially right angles to the work surface and delineating a line of reference on the work surface; a pair of screw-threaded bolts mounted on the platform in spaced relation substantially normal to thework surface and substantially equidistant from the line of reference; a pair of guide plates, having individual substantially straight edges and having openings extending therethrough, the guide plates being individually positioned in rested engagement on the work surface with said bolts individually loosely extending through the openings of the plates; a crossbar, having bores extending therethrough positioned in rested engagement on the guide plates with the bolts individually extending through the bores of the crossbar; nuts individually, screw-threadably secured on the bolts outwardly of the crossbar; and an elongated sheet material engaging plate, having a knife guiding straight edge, positioned on the work surface with the straight edge thereof engaging the pegs.

4. A guide for accurately positioning a workpiece for cutting, the guide comprising a pair of reference members; a platform mounting said members in spaced relation delineating a line of reference; a first template borne by the platform; a second template borne by the platform in spaced relation to the first template; and means for securing the templates in selected positions on the platform for abutted engagement with the workpiece to position said workpiece for cutting along the line of reference, said securing means including a cross member mounted on the platform for adjustment to and from binding engagement with the templates.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIGN Patent No. 3,854,214 Dated December 17, 1974 Inventor(s) James ke It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Abstract Page, Item 76 delete "First" and insert ---Fruit--.

Signed and gcalcd this twentieth Day Of April1976 [SEAL] A ttest:

RUTH- C. M AHSON C. MARSHALL DANN Anvsnng ()jflc'er (mnmixsimwr uj'luu'nls and Trademarks I UNITED v PAT ENT OFFICE 1 CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,85lz-,2l4 Dated December 17, 1974 It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patentand that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Colum 1, line 15, delete 2.

insert -=-2,73

Signed and sealed this 18th day of February 1975.

(SEAL) Attest: v

. c. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C MASON Commissioner of Patents Attestlng Officer and Trademarks FORM Po-105o (10-69) uscoMM-oc scan-pea USI GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 869- 930 h 

1. A guide for severing sheet material comprising a sheet material receiving platform; pegs secured on the platform in spaced relation defining a line of reference on the platform; a guide plate, having a material abutting edge, positioned in rested engagement with the platform laterally disposed with respect to said line of reference; a pair of second guide plates, having material abutting edges, positioned in rested engagement on the platform; means for securing the material abutting edges of the guide plates in selected positions with respect to said line of reference, said securing means including a cross bar mounted on the platform for adjustment to and from binding engagement with the guide plates; and an elongated sheet material engaging plate, having a knife guiding straight edge, positionable on the work surface with the straight edge thereof engaging the pegs.
 2. A guide for accurately positioning a workpiece for cutting, the guide comprising a pair of reference members; a template; a platform mounting said members in spaced relation delineating a line of reference; means for securing the template in a selected position on the platform for abutted engagement with the workpiece to position said workpiece for cutting along the line of reference; and a second template borne by the platform in spaced relation to the first template, said securing means being adjustable to secure the second template in a selected attitude on the platform with respect to the line of reference and the first temPlate, said securing means including a cross member mounted on the platform for adjustment to and from binding engagement with the templates.
 3. A guide for successively severing sheet material into segments of a preselected uniform configuration, the guide comprising an elongated work platform having a substantially flat work surface; a pair of reference pegs affixed on the platform in spaced relation extending at substantially right angles to the work surface and delineating a line of reference on the work surface; a pair of screw-threaded bolts mounted on the platform in spaced relation substantially normal to the work surface and substantially equidistant from the line of reference; a pair of guide plates, having individual substantially straight edges and having openings extending therethrough, the guide plates being individually positioned in rested engagement on the work surface with said bolts individually loosely extending through the openings of the plates; a crossbar, having bores extending therethrough positioned in rested engagement on the guide plates with the bolts individually extending through the bores of the crossbar; nuts individually, screw-threadably secured on the bolts outwardly of the crossbar; and an elongated sheet material engaging plate, having a knife guiding straight edge, positioned on the work surface with the straight edge thereof engaging the pegs.
 4. A guide for accurately positioning a workpiece for cutting, the guide comprising a pair of reference members; a platform mounting said members in spaced relation delineating a line of reference; a first template borne by the platform; a second template borne by the platform in spaced relation to the first template; and means for securing the templates in selected positions on the platform for abutted engagement with the workpiece to position said workpiece for cutting along the line of reference, said securing means including a cross member mounted on the platform for adjustment to and from binding engagement with the templates. 